News

The Business Health Forum can provide data on employer perspectives, collected at its Forums and Health Solutions Programs. We can also connect reporters with business owners that have stories to share regarding health care frustrations, cost control measures, and how they are promoting health and wellness within their own companies.

Business Health Forum Closure

submitted 5 March, 2010 - 3:18pm

Business Health Forum Closure

Since its inception in the spring of 2007, the Business Health Forum has focused on educating and engaging Colorado employers on the issues and policies of health care reform at the state and national level. Through the efforts of its staff and Board, the goal of BHF has been to engage the business community in discussion and connect employers with decision-makers, practical solutions and each other, while at the same time bringing the employer perspective to many audiences.

Business Health Forum Announces New Executive Director

submitted 14 December, 2009 - 8:53pm

As the year winds to a close, we have some exciting news to share. Ralph Pollock, founder and president of the Business Health Forum, is resigning as executive director and is passing the torch to Teresa Tuschhoff. As the Business Health Forum's former policy director, Teresa has a successful track record engaging the business community on state and federal health reform initiatives as well as bringing the employer perspective to reform efforts across the state. Once a president and CEO of a worksite health and wellness company in St. Louis, MO, her background includes public affairs, grassroots advocacy and nonprofit development.

Health care expert urges higher taxes for reform

submitted 15 November, 2009 - 10:54pm

One of the country’s most respected health care economists urged Colorado business leaders to support raising taxes to help cover as many as 834,000 uninsured Coloradans and reduce the amount of uncompensated medical services that drive up insurance premiums for businesses. Denver Business Journal 11/13/09

Young, healthy could shoulder costs of health reform - Business Health Forum Responds

submitted 30 October, 2009 - 6:29pm

Colorado Springs Business Journal 10/30/09

A study by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, which was released last week, considers the following three scenarios: a young healthy 25-year-old man with individual insurance, an unhealthy, 60-year old couple, and a family with two children and a small company that employs eight people. Full Story

Anthem forecasts higher costs under health reform

submitted 24 October, 2009 - 3:20pm

Denver Business Journal 10/23/09

Ralph Pollock, executive director of the Business Health Forum, said Anthem's report is a call for reform advocates to work harder.

Pollock said weak mandates are only part of the problem with the current reform proposals. He also called for stronger subsidies and measures to control the cost of health care.

Full Story

Business people talk about health care at Glenwood Springs chamber-sponsored forum

submitted 23 October, 2009 - 5:01pm

Glenwood Springs Post Independent 10/23/09

We all have a stake in health care reform

submitted 22 October, 2009 - 6:56pm

Denver Post 10/16/2009

The debate over health care reform isn't over. It's just quieter now that the town hall meetings have ended and Congress is back in session.

But what was true before all the shouting is still true now:

"The cost of health care and the demand for it have outpaced our economy. Full Guest Commentary

Business, Consumer Groups Weigh In On Health Care Bill

submitted 16 October, 2009 - 9:09pm

KMGH 7News 10/13/09

The policy director of Colorado's Business Health Forum told 7NEWS that Coloradans spend about $30 billion a year on health care. Americans spend about $2.3 trillion.

"That's unsustainable," said Teresa Tuschhoff. "At some point in time the amount of money in the system has to come down and it's going to take some sacrifice by everyone to do it." Full story...

Business leaders share health-care views

submitted 30 September, 2009 - 3:01pm

Northern Colorado Business Report 9/29/09

While the majority were against any change in the current system that would require employers to either provide coverage or pay a fee for each employee, 68 percent said they would like to see the link between employers and health coverage eliminated. However, 63 percent said they would support a single-payer health-care system similar to Medicare adopted nationwide. Full article...

Open letter to U.S. health care overhaulers

submitted 26 September, 2009 - 9:00am

Northern Colorado Business Report 9/25/09

As the president and Congress reconvene to tackle overhauling the health-care system, the Business Health Forum urges our national - and state - leaders to focus on what it is we're trying to fix. Full article..

What they’re saying about Obama’s health-reform speech

submitted 11 September, 2009 - 9:30pm

What they're saying about Obama's health-reform speech

Denver Business Journal 9/9/2009

President Barack Obama laid out his case to Congress and the nation Wednesday night for reforming the nation’s health care system and for creating a “public insurance option.” Full article...

 

Business Health Forum lists priorities

submitted 11 September, 2009 - 9:27pm

Business Health Forum lists priorities

Business Health Forum's open letter to policy makers, printed in the Denver Business Journal 9/11/2009.

Medicaid has increased how often smoking cessation medications may be prescribed to help clients quit smoking

submitted 11 September, 2009 - 2:56pm

GatewayNews.org 9/11/09

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing announced today that Medicaid has increased how often smoking cessation medications may be prescribed to help clients quit smoking. This common sense policy change results in improved health for clients and decreased Medicaid costs by decreasing hospitalizations and provider visits. Full article...

Obama plan gets conflicting reviews in Colorado

submitted 10 September, 2009 - 3:16pm

Obama plan gets conflicting reviews in Colorado

Dayle Cedars, ABC 7News Denver 9/9/2009

Dayle Cedars sits down with two people who help others find health care for themselves or their businesses. Full story...

Employers council to host health care forum today at Broncos' stadium

submitted 25 August, 2009 - 2:53pm

Employers council to host health care forum today at Broncos' stadium

Denver Post 8/25/2009

Business leaders will host a health care forum today at a venue that might overcome the occasionally yawn- inducing nature of bureaucratic reforms: The locker room in Invesco Field at Mile High. Full article...

Finding a cure: A Colorado business round table on health-care reform

submitted 17 August, 2009 - 3:38pm

Finding a cure: A Colorado business round table on health-care reform

by Bob Mook, Denver Business Journal, 8/14/2009

Raucus town-hall meetings; fiery confrontations between constituent groups and elected officials.

U.S. health care: Reform talk must ease fears

submitted 10 August, 2009 - 2:47pm

U.S. health care: Reform talk must ease fears

by Jennifer Brown, Denver Post 7/26/2009

Any effort to sell an overhaul of health care to a wary public must first clear some major hurdles with people who like the insurance they have and don't see the need for change. Full article...

Reaction mixed to D.C. health-coverage proposal

submitted 29 June, 2009 - 3:00pm

Reaction mixed to D.C. health-coverage proposal

by Bob Mook, Denver Business Journal 6/26/2009

Small-business owners in Colorado are divided about a proposal from Washington policymakers that would require employers to cover most of the costs of health-insurance premiums for full-time workers. Full article...

Ritter plan would add surcharge to help uninsured

submitted 2 January, 2009 - 9:00am

Ritter plan would add surcharge to help uninsured

by Bob Mook, Denver Business Journal 12/19/2008

Employers favor health insurance mandates

submitted 2 January, 2009 - 8:00am

Employers favor health insurance mandates

Denver Business Journal 11/2/2007

Most Colorado employers think everyone should be required to have health insurance, according to a recent survey from the Business Health Forum. Full article...

Business Health Forum created to spark health debate

submitted 2 January, 2009 - 7:00am

Business Health Forum created to spark health debate

by Bob Mook, Denver Business Journal 6/8/2007

An initiative to get businesses more involved in health care policy issues is being launched by the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry's (CACI) Educational Foundation. Full article...